Torn meniscus - leave for Disney in 10 days?

[SGB13]

Just got my MRI results. I have torn my meniscus in my knee. We were planning on leaving for Disney in 10 days. My appointment with the ortho is tomorrow afternoon to see if he is going to suggest surgery or not. Worst part is I did this falling off one step in my house. Not a flight of stairs, A single step. I hate getting old!!!

 

[Shasta]

Wow! What terrible timing! When I tore mine, my knee poped when I walked and by the end of an average day, it was swollen and I'd have to ice it.

What are your symptoms? If it were me, I'd consider a ECV and keep the walking off that knee.

 

[ADP]

Just got my MRI results. I have torn my meniscus in my knee. We were planning on leaving for Disney in 10 days. My appointment with the ortho is tomorrow afternoon to see if he is going to suggest surgery or not. Worst part is I did this falling off one step in my house. Not a flight of stairs, A single step. I hate getting old!!!

I once had a torn meniscus. It actually didn't happen from injury, but occurred over time (wear and tear). The pain would come and go, and eventually got to the point where it was bothering me too much. The Ortho gave me the option of arthroscopic surgery. He basically said, if it's bothering you too much have the surgery. If you can live with it then don't have it. I chose to get it taken care of. The surgery wasn't too bad at all. Recovery time was a little less than 2 weeks and I was back on my feet walking normally. No worries today....the knee is as good as new.

 

[crazydisneyman]

Just got my MRI results. I have torn my meniscus in my knee. We were planning on leaving for Disney in 10 days. My appointment with the ortho is tomorrow afternoon to see if he is going to suggest surgery or not. Worst part is I did this falling off one step in my house. Not a flight of stairs, A single step. I hate getting old!!!

This not a bad thing for your trip as you can get a scooter from Walker Mobility http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/electric-scooter.htm. My Mom has used them before and they are Great!

 

[wildfan1473]

This happened to my husband, however like Aaron said, it was just from wear and tear, and his ortho told him the same thing - if it you can live with it, fine, if not, have the surgery. We went to Disney in October, and he had the surgery a month later. Surgery was very easy, except he did not take it easy like the doc told him to the first couple of days, and ended up on bedrest for the next week. He's completely recovered now and is glad he did it.

 

[parrotheadlois]

Also like Aaron, I have a torn miniscus. Also from wear and tear. Every now and then I get a cortisone shot (notably before trips to the world) and I have lidocaine patches I use. If it ever gets worse - I'll also have surgery. Good luck with it, rest as needed!

 

[Michele]

DH tore his meniscus and a ligament last January stepping on a dog toy....he had to have surgery in April after the ligament had healed on it's own.

I would consider an ECV for your trip, you don't want to damage it further.

 

[shawn68]

I feel your pain, I had surgery to repair mine last January, and now, I am waiting for my second surgery date. I tried to non evasive approach, and all that did was make it worse. Too much walking can hurt it worse, get a scooter, you don't want to be in pain and on your feet all day at Disney. Your fun level will decrease as the pain increases.

 

[SGB13]

Thanks so much for all the great info and support. I had been thinking of canceling the trip totally. But think we will probably try to get a ECV and go. (as long as my doctor allows)

 

[rtobe]

As others have posted, consider an ECV option. Depending on tear location and symptoms it may not bother you much. Pack an ace bandage to control swelling and some gallon zip lock bags for icing at the end of the day. You can also get a foldable cane at most drugstores for around $20. Personally a cane does not help me much but you may find it helps you.

As long as your symptoms allow you to travel comfortably to WDW you should be fine once you get there, especially if you have an ECV. You may have some difficulty getting in or out of some rides like Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Small World, Pirates just because of the ride vehicle and amount of knee bending involved.

The surgical fix for torn meniscus is generally outpatient arthroscopic surgery. Rehab time varies but generally you are up and walking without crutches in one or two weeks. Physical therapy helps with the rehab.

 

[SGB13]

Thanks again to everyone. I feel like I can make it with my knee with the all the feedback I have gotten. Our trip is the 29th thru the 5th and my surgery is the 10th. My boss is gonna love me!
Now I need to start packing.

 

[Shasta]

Thanks again to everyone. I feel like I can make it with my knee with the all the feedback I have gotten. Our trip is the 29th thru the 5th and my surgery is the 10th. My boss is gonna love me!
Now I need to start packing.

Take TONS of pictures/video and don't look at them until after your home post surgery about day five when you are getting really stir crazy sitting on that couch. You'll love the reprieve!

Lastly, rtobe made a great point, pay attention to your pain while riding. My pain was opposite by over extending. I needed my leg to have a bend. Don't get stuck on a ride that jerks you around in a painful position.

 

[rtobe]

Good luck with the trip and the surgery. Mine was Jan. 11th. My stitches (all three) are coming out on Thurs. (Jan. 21).

 

[rtobe]

Take TONS of pictures/video and don't look at them until after your home post surgery about day five when you are getting really stir crazy sitting on that couch. You'll love the reprieve!

YES, and post surgery day 5 is about when too.

 

[SGB13]

rtobe, I am glad you are doing well with your surgery. Are you getting around yet? Hope you keep healing well!
They had originally told me not to wear my brace to sleep at night and I was twisting it every night in my sleep. I would wake up a ton of times a night. Haven't gotten good sleep since my injury. (3 weeks now!) I was getting grumpy. They finally told me I could sleep with it on and I slept so good last night.

 

[rtobe]

SGB13 was wondering how you're doing? Hope all went well! Two months since my scope - walking and working on getting back to playing tennis Was in Disneyland in mid Feb and rented a scooter for the day, was glad I did.